Three NASCAR Cup champions are more DNF-prone than Bubba Wallace in the DVP era

DVP, or the Damaged Vehicle Policy, was introduced in 2017 to determine the eligibility of a car to continue racing after a crash.

Three NASCAR Cup champions are more DNF-prone than Bubba Wallace in the DVP era

Kurt Busch (Credits Beyondtheflag), Bubba Wallace (Credits @23xiracingTwitter) and Kyle Larson (Credits Sportscasting)

NASCAR is a sport that’s renowned for its aggressive style of racing. It rewards the driver who has the skill to drive perfect laps and survive chaos when it’s erupted. But drivers can’t avoid chaos every time, and it results in DNFs. It’s a nightmare for the drivers as it deprives them of the opportunity to score higher finishes and, if it’s accident-related, puts a financial burden on the team.

Accidents and crashes are still a big factor behind DNFs for drivers in the NASCAR Cup series. In the DVP era (since 2017), the list of top 10 drivers with the most DNFs features three former Cup series champions and former Xfinity Series champions, proving even the most decorated will easily be the victims of circumstances in racing.

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All ten drivers are among the most renowned and respected pilots in the Cup series. RFK Racing’s Chris Buescher is at P10 with 22 DNF since 2017 due to accidents. At P9 is the Cup series’s only black athlete Bubba Wallace with the same number of DNFs. His teammate and 2004 Cup champion Kurt Busch ranked at P8 with 23 DNFs.

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At P7 is Trackhouse Racing driver Daniel Suarez, NASCAR’s first Mexican Cup race winner, and a former Xfinity Series champion. Another NASCAR’s all-time Top 75 driver and RFK Racing co-owner, Brad Keselowski, is ahead of him. He won the Cup series title with Team Penske Racing in 2012.

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The Top 5 is stalked with NASCAR talents

Kyle Larson and William Byron
Kyle Larson and William Byron (Credits: Hendrick Motorsports)

The 2021 Cup Series champion Kyle Larson occupies the P5 spot, ironically his race car number. He has had 25 accidents since 2017 that resulted in a DNF. Just ahead of him is his Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron. The No:24 car driver has been part of 26 accidents that resulted in a DNF.

The last place on the podium is occupied by former Xfinity Series champion Erik Jones who is currently driving for Jimmie Johnson’s LEGACY MOTOR CLUB in the cup series. He has suffered 27 DNFs due to accidents. RCR’s Austin Dillon holds the number two spot. He has the same number DNFs as the Jones.

The undisputed P1 is held by two times NASCAR Xfinity Series champion and 2023 Daytona 500 winner Ricky Stenhouse Jr. He has been part of a staggering 33 incidents that resulted in a DNF. Dillion, who is on P3,, must be part of six more accidents to match Stenhouse at the top.

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